Syrian entrepreneurs use their Mechatronic skills to help the hearing impaired through BeChangeMaker

It was the fact that BeChangeMaker was open to all countries and youth between 18 to 35 years old that encouraged them to enter says team member Christina Fayed.

Syrius project uses the principles of Mechatronics to develop wearable solutions for people with impaired hearing, including an innovative glove that can translate both written and spoken Arabic, with the potential to be applied to other languages. 

After making it to the finals in Amsterdam at the WorldSkills General Assembly, they emerged as one of the winners of BeChangeMaker 2018.

“Being a part of the BeChangeMaker programme made us see what other social entrepreneurs doing in different countries at the same time,” says Christina.

“That made us more open to a worldwide problem which leads us to think outside the box and see our solution from different perspectives.”

After each round, the team learned more and challenged themselves harder, she says. “That gave us the right attitude to reach the finals.”

With BeChangeMaker funding and support, Syrius is now looking at suppliers to bring their ideas to market. 

Christina says she would recommend any young person with an idea for start up should. “Give it a shot and join the BeChangeMaker family. It’s a once in a lifetime experience.”

WorldSkills and the HP Foundation launched the first BeChangeMaker in 2017 as a virtual social entrepreneurial training programme for youth to become global citizens and change makers.

Since then, over 100 young entrepreneurs have participated in BeChangeMaker online courses and its mentorship programme initiated by WorldSkills and the HP Foundation. Until 15 April applicants can apply for the next round of the programme at https://bechangemaker.worldskills.org.